The official blog for missing Utah mom Susan Cox Powell.

Josh Powell Breaks His Silence

Friday night, the world was shocked when Josh Powell broke his 11-month silence with an inflammatory 6-hour interview with the Salt Lake Tribune’s Nate Carlisle.

Josh and his father Steve Powell made many claims in the Tribune article, including the following:

* They believe that Susan “ran off” with a boyfriend because she is “sexually and financially motivated”

* They believe Susan is “mentally unstable”

* They accuse the Cox family of starting a foundation to help other adult missing persons as a cover to “solicit donations”

As quoted in the Salt Lake Tribune article, Jennifer Graves, Josh Powell’s sister, had this to say about Josh and Steve’s claims:

“They’ve basically accused Susan of being a slut, and it’s offensive to me,” Jennifer Graves said. “She was not. She was frustrated with her marriage.”

Her husband Kirk added, “They need an explanation for why she’s not around. He can’t say ‘Of course, she’s not around because I killed her.’ ”

The Graves’ told the Salt Lake Tribune that Susan was NOT mentally unstable and that, in fact, it’s the Powell side of the family—Josh and Steve’s side—that have mental issues.

The article goes on to say: The irony, the Graveses said, is that one of Josh Powell’s brothers has been diagnosed as bipolar and schizophrenic. Steve Powell, they said, is a controlling person who often drives the actions of some of his children. With mental illness running in the family, the Graveses wonder if Josh might be the one suffering from it.

The Tribune article has garnered a passionate response all across the world, as online readers weigh in on the subject. The overwhelming majority of people have spoken in support of Susan, her two little boys, and the Cox and Graves families. The local and national media also had a swift response. There are now too many articles and videos to list them all, but here’s a few:

2 Responses

I think it is out of line to blame the person that is not here to defend herself. I came from an abusive relationship and it all sounds a little too familar. The person in power ( the man) putting all the blame on the the wife. There is no excuse for that kind of abuse (or should I say torture) I hope everything works out for your family, may God be with her!